The 22 percent drop in filings was driven by fewer personal bankruptcy cases, both reorganizations and liquidations.

Chapter 13 filings slid to 196 last month, down 20 percent from the 245 filed in July 2010. Chapter 7 filings by individuals declined to 151, an almost 23 percent decline from the 195 cases filed in July 2010.

Meanwhile, three businesses filed for Chapter 11 reorganization last month. That compares with seven filings in the same period last year. There were only two business liquidations last month, vs. five a year ago.